Stone Mountain Park

Home to the world’s largest gray-granite outcropping, Stone Mountain Park is a major recreational in Atlanta, with 3,200 acres (1,300 hectares) of wooded parkland and lakes. The center of the park is Stone Mountain, which is an enduring monument to the Confederacy. The park also has a Civil War Museum, a restored antebellum plantation, and loads of activities for the entire family.

To learn about the history of Stone Mountain Park, stop at the Discovering Stone Mountain Museum, where exhibits take you on a chronological journey. Then, of course, is the mountain itself. The mountain is a site to behold from its base, but from the top are breathtaking vistas of Atlanta and the Appalachian Mountains. You can walk to the top via a trail, which takes your though moss-covered slopes, or take the Skyride cable car. There’s also a Sky Hike, which treks through the treetops.

Other notable attractions at Stone Mountain Park include the Stone Mountain Scenic Railroad, an open-air train that chugs around the mountain’s base; the Antique Car and Treasure Museum, which displays a collection of cars, clocks, and model trains; and Crossroads, an 1870 rural town, with costumed characters who sing, play instruments, and tell stories.

Practical Info

Stone Mountain Park is located about 30 minutes east of downtown Atlanta. If you’re traveling by car, take Interstate 78 East and follow the signs. You can also get here by bus and MARTA trains. Consider spending a few days here. There’s a number of activities including golf, miniature golf, tennis, and lakefront beaches with water slides, rowboats, and paddleboats.